Tonsil Update...

First of all... Thank you all for your prayers and kind words while I have been down with whatever this is... Blake left off with us sleeping and trying to rest ALL day Monday. It was so true. I didn't move from the bed basically all day! He was such a good husband and made me Malt-O-Meal for breakfast in bed. He kept bringing me Benadryl and hot tea throughout the day. I got chicken noodle soup, crackers, and Sprite for lunch and Spaghetti and Meatballs for dinner. :) He is such a good guy. I am lucky to have such a precious & caring husband! I am getting a little claustrophobic in my little bat cave these days, I haven't gotten to leave the apartment since Sunday. Nope, I take that back, Blake made me go to the emergency clinic on Monday night, since it wasn't getting any better and I was still having trouble breathing. Blake made me go see a doctor, and if you know me at all, then you know I HATE going to doctors and hate taking medicine even more (I hate having to remember to take them and at the right time and all that mess)! lol. So he forced me to go and see the doctor and she was not happy that I put it off so long. She said my throat was so tight, she could barely get a toothpick between my tonsils. :( Not good! She is making me take 3 antibiotics and gave me an Epi Pen... SCARY! lol. It's kind of intimidating. Even though we still aren't sure what originally caused the allergic reaction, she is pretty sure that's what is was, none the less. She advised that I just take my antibiotics, rest a lot, and try to not expose myself to anything new for a few days. So fast forward a bit... yesterday I just felt groggy and weak form the medicine, but today I woke up and I think I am finally turning a corner! :) Yea! But still, I am getting kind of stir crazy and ready to be out in the world again... I am so used to a fast paced life-style that never slows down, so this is culture shock for me and makes me feel like I'm completely lazy! :( I keep getting told that if I don't rest and take care of myself it will never get better, so I am trying to trust them and follow my family and friends' advice. :) Anyways, today is Wednesday and I finally can swallow without feeling like there are 2 ping pong balls or golf balls in my throat. lol. So I think today is truly a new day and I am finally beating this... WAH-HOO! :)

Sunday, July 27th: The Mattress and Tonsil Adventure

Strange title? Yes. Appropriate? Double check. This weekend was really good for Robin and I. We got the opportunity to lead worship while Donald was away at the Cancun campus with our lead pastor, Mark Shook. We got tons of compliments, God was honored, faces were rocked...it was a fun time had by all. Later in the weekend on Sunday afternoon, Robin and I ventured down to Katy to pick up a mattress I found on Craig's list...a great site by the way. A mattress/furniture dealer had one model she was trying to sell- and we got a steal! So we go home, set it up and it is super comfy...Robin was extremely pleased, so I think I got some "good husband" points on my scorecard. 

Without our usual Sunday afternoon siesta, we head to our small group dinner, where we all brought stuff for a fajita dinner-mmm. I doubt there is meat more tender or tasty than fajita beef. Sidebar- I once told Robin that I wanted the next cologne she bought me to smell like fajitas...I was just kidding. Or was I? Ha. So there we were, having fajitas, enjoying cows as God intended us to and all of a sudden Robin tells me she needs to talk outside, now. As we walk out of our friend's house, I'm searching my mind for everything I could've done wrong- Was I talking with my mouthful? Was my breath horrible or was I invading somone's personal space? Luckily, it had nothing to do with me...but unfortunately for Robin, her tonsils were swollen and her throat almost completely shut off. She was having an allergic reaction  and was to the point where breathing had become difficult. One of our friends got her some Benadryl and things started calming down. We think she might have been allergic to the fajita meat seasoning or the cats in our friend's home...we won't know for sure until she gets some allergy testing done. All this to say, Sunday was a busy day for us. Monday...we slept.

So much fun...

This weekend was AWESOME! I cannot tell you the last time I felt so free in worship and could honestly say that I physically, mentally, and emotionally felt that God was with and all around me! :) It was SO refreshing and I praise God for allowing us to be a part of His kingdom work! Even though Blake & I led worship this weekend, there was not a sense of stress or worry, God protected us all weekend and walked with us every step of the way. What a great God we serve! :) I was extremely encouraged by this past weekend and am blessed to get to lead worship along side my incredible husband full-time! I was extremely proud of my husband and love to get to see him lead out! It's been a while & was so nice. :) He is so very talented and it's always nice to hear his tender & pure voice, it makes even prouder to be his wife! lol. I know that sounds cheesy, but it's true! All I can say is this past weekend was so much fun and I thank God for giving The Jackson's the opportunity to praise Him and lead others towards Him! Here are some pictures from this past weekend...

Blake, Trey, Chris, Albert & Andrew

Chris, Albert, Me, Trey & Andrew

Me & my sweet KyLeighkins

"The Girls" (Napoli, Rob & Ellie)

Randy Olive ALWAYS keeps us laughing!

I think he was preparing for his debut album... Octopus Rhyme!

You would never guess where we saw this...

OUR APARTMENT COMPLEX!!!

lol. It's blurry, but you get the gist, this father and daughter were riding their horses through the parking lot of my apt. complex. WHAT?!?!?!

Blake & I thought it was hilarious! :)

Watch me Turn into Mariah

MyHeritage: Celebrity Morph - Roots - Geneology

Weekend 'O Wedding...

This past weekend I officially began my duties as Matron of Honor for my baby sister, Whitney, who is getting married next summer. After a crazy busy weekend, which I won't get into... I drove down to the George R. Brown Convention Center (downtown) and met my mom, sister & her fiance, Eric, at the Bridal Extravaganza. It was actually a lot of fun. I love walking around seeing all of the fun and beautiful wedding stuff!!! Sometimes I think I should go into wedding planning so I can be around all of the fun, frilly drama that comes with weddings, I love it! ;) The next day we went to pick up her wedding dress. Such a neat time, she looks absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! Even though I can't put pictures of the dress up, I thought I would document the event and can't wait for y'all to see her looking gorgeous in her dress in one short year from now! I will keep you posted with her wedding plans as they come together...

Us at the Bridal Extravaganza 

Sisters!!!

Watching mom sign all of her money away so Whit could have the dress of her dreams! ;)

Whitney signing to get to take her dress home... it's officially hers. WAH-HOO!!!

The Gillmore Girls

Whitney Taylor Gillmore is going to be a BEAUTIFUL bride!!!

Date Night!!!

I have the sweetest husband in the world! Last night, after a long day of work, he surprised me with a spontaneous "Date night." :) Not only did he not let me cook, but he drove me 20 minutes away to one of my most favorite places ever...

Once there, we had to wait a while but in the meantime... he got me a Dr. Pepper, bread sticks, and ranch to dip them in. My baby knows me so well! It was such a nice night for just the two of us to get to hang out, have a nice meal, and enjoy being married!!! :) Yea for awesome husbands and fun date nights! I love you Blake & am blessed to be your wife!

The rest of Memphis...

After the wedding was over, Blake & I decided to take in the famous sites of Memphis, TN... 

The best Southern fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, and fried pickles we have EVER had!!!

It was in a cute little antique house

Chase & Mike Presson w/ Blake after a yummy lunch @ Gus'

Sunday night, we headed back to Beale St. for some dinner and good music

1st we started off @ Alfred's, where downstairs we enjoyed jazz music from a full big band "Lawrence Welk style," it was very high energy and entertaining.

 

Then, continued upstairs @ Alfred's where we could overlook Beale St. and hear a guy sing and play acoustic guitar, more of a chill, relaxing time. 

Looking off the patio onto the street

It was neat to get 2 totally different experiences both at the same restaurant! :)

We grabbed some delicious dessert and got tohear some amazing players @ B.B. Kings

Preston Shannon was taking pictures for his new album cover in the middle of the street, it was so cool!

Monday morning... we were off to Graceland...

Graceland, the house where Elvis lived!!!

The Fernandez Wedding

This past Thursday Blake & I flew into Little Rock, Arkansas; got a rental car and drove to Memphis, Tennessee to be in a wedding for some friends of ours. Blake was the best man and we got to sing a duet, "Made for You" by Watermark. The weekend flew by WAY too fast, we wanted to stay a little longer. We also wanted to give a special shout out the the Presson family. This was family friends of the bride that were kind enough to take us in all weekend and spoil us way beyond our wildest dreams! You guys are absolutely precious and we have fallen in love with your entire family! You are a true picture of a rock solid christian family. We look up to you, Mike & Leslie as incredible people of integrity who have raised some amazing children! We hope we can someday be half the parents you two are! We could never express to you how thankful we are that we got the privilege to meet you and stay in your home. Thank you for your incredible hospitality!!! Looking back on the weekend, we had a blast and really enjoyed the time we got to get away and the serious quality time we got together. It was much needed! :) 

At the Rehearsal Dinner, we got to hang out with two awesome couples. We loved getting to spend so much time with all of you this weekend, it was such a privilege. Love y'all!!! 

Lauren & Ben Huss

Brooxie Davis & Chase Presson

The after Party was on Beale St. in Memphis, Tennessee... 

We got to hear dueling piano players @ this place... they were awesome!

I love my husband!!!

We like to act silly and have a good time together

Enjoying a nice stroll down Beale St. with my handsome husband

The morning of the wedding we got to relax and hang out before the festivities began...

Blake & Ben were preparing for the "garter stunt" they had planned for the reception 

When Kyle went to get her garter off...

he first pulled out a HUGE bra & then HUGE granny panties, everyone thought it was hilarious!

We were trying to entertain ourselves by balancing rose petals on our noses

We cracked ourselves up!!!

We decorated their car with tacky traditional wedding stuff...

The newlyweds kissing :)

The Jacksons with the groom

This was right before we prayed over their travel, honeymoon, and marriage

The final goodbye from his ApiK brothers